The Aniak Lady Halfbreeds defeated the two-time defending state champions, the Scammon Bay Lady Eagles Friday night, March 16, 2018, during the semifinals of the girls 1A state basketball finals.

The final score was Aniak 52, Scammon Bay 47.

The first quarter was a nailbiter with fans on both sides standing in their seats waiting for their team to score at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. Scammon Bay got the first point via a free throw. The score at the end of the first quarter was 10 for the Halfbreeds and 6 for the Eagles.

Aniak dominated the second quarter scoring 15 points to the Eagles’ 9. In the third Q the Lady Eagles outscored the Halfbreeds 17 to 15.

Overall, Scammon Bay had 18 turnovers, Aniak had 15. Scammon attempted 25 three pointers but only 3 found their mark. Almira Kaganak made two three pointers. The other one came from Alma Smith. For Aniak, they made 6 of their 26 three point attempts. Alyssa Morgan and Kayla Morgan both had 2, and Shauna Koonuk and Miranda Peterson both made 1.

The Lady Eagles had 16 free throws and 8 of those made it in. The same was for the Lady Halfbreeds, they made 8 free throws out of 12.

Aniak outrebounded Scammon Bay, 36 to 33. As for fouls, the refs called 16 on Aniak and 12 on Scammon Bay.

Players of the game were Hayley Akeralrea for the Lady Eagles and Miranda Peterson for the Lady Halfbreeds.

On opening night of the 1A girls state tournament, the Scammon Bay Eagles defeated New Stuyahok, 88 to 45. On Thursday they beat Tri-Valley, 65-41 to make it to their semifinal game with Aniak.

Aniak defeated Hydaburg, 81-38 during their first game. They beat St. Mary’s on Thursday, 84-54 to advance to their game with Scammon Bay. They will be playing for the state 1A crown on Saturday, March 17th, against the team from Selawik, last year’s runner up.

“They were the better team tonight,” said Scammon Bay headcoach Herschel Sundown of the Aniak Halfbreeds. “I will be cheering for them on Saturday.”

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